Rangers could be stripped of trophies for SFA membership

Newco Rangers could be stripped of trophies as part of a deal to earn Scottish Football Association membership.

Scottish Football League chief executive David Longmuir will assess any offer from the Scottish Premier League for the rights to Rangers games in the Irn-Bru Third Division next season as the issue of media contracts threatens the Ibrox club's bid for a place in the SFA.

Another obstacle to joining is a condition which involves the acceptance of a 12-month transfer ban originally handed out to Rangers oldco for bringing the game into disrepute.

Prize possession: Ally McCoist and newco Rangers could lose trophies

Before signing the membership agreement with the SFA, the Ibrox club want the SPL to drop their investigation into alleged dual contracts while the SPL have their own concerns with regards the SFL and Rangers' media rights.

It is believed broadcasters are not keen to sign up to an SPL deal without having access to the Govan club's games.

If Doncaster was unable to bring Rangers' rights to the negotiating table, the SFL would lose out on their annual £2million settlement fee that was agreed in 1999 when the top clubs split from the league to form the SPL.

It is also believed that several top-flight clubs could face financial problems if there is any reduction or delay in the routine £645,000 payment from the SPL which is expected on August 6.

There has to be a five-way agreement between the SFA, SPL, SFL, old Rangers and new Rangers before any deal is sanctioned and with Ally McCoist's men due to play their first match against Brechin in the Ramsdens Cup next weekend, time is running out.

The SFL's media agents, IMG, have invited bids from interested parties with a Monday deadline and the SPL will likely be one of the bidders.

Drop: Rangers will play in division three

Longmuir said: 'We will look at the options we have on Monday and Tuesday.

'If the SPL happen to be one of the bidders we will assess that as well.

'They are at liberty to pitch to us as anyone else. I am comfortable that we will get there this week.'

The SPL want an independent commission to rule on whether the Govan club breached regulations with alleged undisclosed payments to players between 2001 and 2010.

Rangers fear an adverse decision could see them stripped of the trophies won during that period.

The Ibrox club and their fans claim they have already been punished enough and on Saturday manager Ally McCoist said he would 'never accept' stripping the club of titles.

Talks will continue tomorrow but the current stand-off does little more than add to the sense of uncertainty and chaos that has enveloped Scottish football in recent months.

Furthermore, controversial football agent Paul Stretford is 'assisting' Rangers newco, the Ibrox club have confirmed.

Helping hand: Controversial agent Paul Stretford is assisting Rangers

Gers chief executive Charles Green is using the services of the agent, who was banned in 2008 for 18 months and fined £300,000 for a number of misconduct charges relating to how he acquired the right to represent Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney six years earlier.

A spokesman for Rangers told Sportsmail: 'Paul Stretford is assisting the club.'

Stretford's link with the Ibrox club is revealed as Ally McCoist prepares to bolster his squad for life in the Irn-Bru Third Division next season.

On acceptance of Scottish Football Association membership, still to be ratified, the Light Blues' boss will have until September 1 to sign players before a 12-month transfer embargo begins.

Rangers fans may wonder about Stretford's remit given the club's new league status and the apparent lack of cash available at Ibrox to bring players in, but confirmation of the Englishman's involvement comes while Green continues to challenge the decisions of the players who walked away from the club this summer.